GOALS, WIND AND FIRSTS : NWL Week 3 Review / Week 4 Preview

Alex Dalhberg, Steph Skilton, Nadia Browning, Capitals Mascot, Barry Buchanan, Katie Barrott, Russell Underwood
Photo TJFPhotos

It rained goals in the weekend's National Womens League, 23 of them in just three games an average of 4.6 a game. A great advert for football or just the eternal New Zealand problem of teams not being able to defend very well?

There were a couple of records created - Southern United's epic 5-5 draw with Northern Lights was the highest scoring draw since the NWL started in 2002. While in the Capital goals to Mickey & Jemma Robertson in their 3-3 draw with Auckland was the first time sisters have scored in the same game in the NWL.

My cunning plan to ensure coverage of games was to ask fans that would be going to games to give me a brief summary from their point of view. Of course this runs into problems when you realise the majority of people you know at the games are players, media or at the same one as you! So if anyone is interested in sending me their thoughts on the games they see, send me an email (davewebsterdufc@gmail.com or on Twitter DM @theJourneyFan) 

WEEK THREE REVIEW

Southern United 5 Northern Lights 5

Despite having a tenuous claim to fame of being heard on Radio Southland's football commentary in the 1970s (I was playing with my toy cars, while my dad commentated!) I don't actually know anyone in Invercargill which means I don't have any review of what sounded like an epic game that ended 5-5

Capital 3 Auckland 3

It seems that every time Auckland visit Wellington there is a stronger wind than usual at Petone Memorial. This works in Capital's favour as Auckland really don't know how to deal with Wellington's famous wind. They had it behind them in the first half but didn't use it and Courtney Norman, in the Capital goal was largely untroubled in the first half. 

It was Capital who opened the scoring in just the fifth minute when Mickey Robertson latched onto a Emma Rolston through ball and went around advancing Auckland keeper, Rivalina Fuimaono, to slot the ball home.

Mickey Robertson makes it 1-0 and celebrates Photos TJF Photos

Capital had most of the ball in the first half and probably should have had more than the one goal lead at half time. Emma Rolston, in only her second game in the last year, was a bit rusty but the partnership up front between her and Mickey Robertson showed glimpses of something that could be quite lethal when it comes together.

Auckland equalised 10 minutes into the second half when Britney Cunningham-Lee (not Canterbury's Britney-Lee Nicholson as I inadvertently tweeted) took advantage of some sloppy defending for an easy goal. Capital's response was almost immediate, using the wind to gain a corner they had several forays into the Auckland penalty area, but were unable to break down the Auckland defence, then Mickey Robertson played a clever ball back to her sister Jemma, who from about 25 meters out thundered a shot in which hit the bottom of the crossbar as it found its way to the back of the net.

A couple of minutes later, Capital made an odd decision, taking off Charlotte Wilford Carrol who had been bossing the midfield. It was a move that seemed to have cost them the game when Chole Marthe and Lucy Carter netted within six minutes of each other to give Auckland a 3-2 lead with just five minutes left.

Capital were saved in the last minute when Auckland gave away a penalty and Emma Rolston stepped up to cooly slot it home and ensure Capital got a point. It was their first point of the season but it was definitely a case of two points dropped for the Capital side

Central 2 WaiBOP 5

So from no fan correspondents at Southern v Northern to having two at Central v WaiBOP, and even better it was one from each side with Enzo Giordani (check his blog here) on the WaiBOP side and Warren Olson following his daughters Natalie's side Central. As one of them said it'll make the opposing views quite interesting - well it would have had they been! Both Enzo and Warren said basically the same thing. Wind was a big factor in this game, Central dominated the first half but despite Nat Olson scoring her (and the teams) first goal of the season, they conceded two soft \ fluke goals to go into the break 2-1 down. Central also lost Mikela Boxall just before half time, which was described as a huge loss for them as she had been immense and was unlucky not to have a couple of goals herself.

While Central edged the possession in the second half, the defence let them down again and WaiBOP took their chances. Enzo saying "Central will rue what might have been, WaiBOP definitely the better team but haven't always looked like it". While Warren said "WaiBOP looked solid but were guilty of giving the ball away too often : while the problems Central face getting players from Gisborne, Napier, New Plymouth, Wellington and Palmerston North together for regular training showed, a lack of cohesion, especially at the back is counting against them".

WEEK FOUR PREVIEW

WaiBOP : 5th (3pts)

Canterbury United Pride : 2nd (6pts)

Last Season : WaiBOP 1 Canterbury United Pride 3

MY PICK : Canterbury United Pride by 3

It's been eight years since WaiBOP last beat Canterbury United (who were called Mainland back then). Back in 2011, it was an emphatic 6-1 demolition but if we are to see scoreline like that this weekend it will more than likely be in Canterbury's favour.

Northern Lights : 4th (4 pts)

Central : 7th (0pts)

Last Season : Northern Lights 7 Central 0

MY PICK : Northern Lights by 5

In the last six meetings between these teams there has been a draw and Northern have won the other five, Central have managed just five goals in those games, while Northern have managed at least five in each of the last three games (5-1,7-0 & 5-1). Central's last win against Northern came way back in 2007, but there was a seven year gap before the teams met again so it's not as dramatic as it sounds. However I can't see anything changing this weekend and would expect to see Northern get at least five goals

Auckland : 3rd (4pts)

Southern United : 1st (7 pts)

Last Season : Auckland 3 Southern United 2

MY PICK : Southern by 1

Southern United have only ever beaten Auckland once, in 2017, in what was a hugely significant game for them. It was the opening day of the 2017 season at Dunedin's Forsthy Barr Stadium and Southern stunned everyone with a 3-2 victory. It was the game that signalled a major turnaround in the federations attitude and success. Coach at the time, Terry Parle, described it as ".....the one that got the monkey off our back and made the girls believe they could do it". Since then the games have been close, but it has been Auckland that have edged them. Southern are probably the most settled team this season with only a couple of changes and they are starting to look as if they have a real chance of winning the title. Expect another close one but Southern to edge it.

My Picks so far

Round 3 : Southern to beat Northern by 1 X

                Capital and Auckland to Draw YES
                WaiBop to beat Central by a couple YES (well ok it was 3)